Date of Award

5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Psychological Science

Department

Psychology

First Reader/Committee Chair

Christina Hassija Ph.D.

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic experiences that occur before the age of 18 and can have long-standing impacts on mental and physical health. Individuals with high exposure to ACEs may be at increased risk for depression, substance use disorders, and cardiovascular disease (Hughes et al., 2017). Social support has been shown to play an essential role in reducing the likelihood of adverse outcomes, such as substance dependence following exposure to adverse experiences. Furthermore, emotional regulation difficulties have been shown to mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and food addiction. There has been little research on adverse events in childhood and food addiction, and this study would add to the literature regarding the role of resilience factors in the relationship between ACEs and food addiction. The goal of the present study was to examine the role of social support and emotion regulation on the relationship between ACEs and food addiction among college students. Undergraduate college students from diverse backgrounds were asked to complete an online survey assessing social support, emotion dysregulation, ACEs, and food addiction. As predicted, there was a significant positive association between ACEs and food addiction and a positive association between food addiction and emotional dysregulation. However, there was no significant association between food addiction and social support. Lastly, there was an indirect effect of emotional dysregulation in relation to adverse childhood experiences and food addiction. However, there was no support for a significant indirect effect of social support in relation to adverse childhood experiences and food addiction.

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